Photo: rnz/befunky
A major new report calls for much closer scrutiny of chemicals approved of, and used, in New Zealand.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says on paper, there is a robust system in place to assess risks when a chemical is introduced.
But of the 30,000 chemicals approved for use in New Zealand, but only around 200 chemicals are routinely tested for.
Simon Upton says much of the science on the environmental impact of some chemicals has changed, and the current system is patchy and inadequate.
Mr Upton says a common framework needs to be developed and used by all agencies dealing with chemicals, with a priority focus on high risk contaminants
